Summary
Join one of the nation's most highly regarded art shows! CherryArts invites you to apply for the 2027 Cherry Creek Arts Festival and be among 260 exceptional exhibitors featured at this world-class celebration of art.
Each year, the festival welcomes more than 145,000 visitors and offers artists an unparalleled experience, including:
- Strong art sales potential (2026 Artist Survey reported an average of $17,916 per artist)
- Consistently high national rankings
- On-site artist amenities
- A new jury panel each year for fresh perspective
With a loyal, art-savvy audience that includes many collectors, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival is a proven place to exhibit and sell your work. CherryArts is a Denver-based nonprofit that believes access to art is for everyone and that artists are essential. With an estimated $4.5 million in annual art sales, the festival remains a vital platform for artists' success.
General information
2027 Artist Prospectus & Application. Important Dates: October 1, 2026 Application Open; December 1, 2026 Application Deadline; January 2027 hired jury of five artists and art professionals convene over three days to select 260 exhibiting artists; February 3, 2027 artist notification by email and website; February 26, 2027 deadline to confirm participation, sign contract and remit booth fee; March 26, 2027 last day to cancel participation and receive 90% refund.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival: Friday, July 2, 10am–8pm (Accessibility hour at 9am); Saturday, July 3, 10am–8pm; Sunday, July 4, 10am–6pm.
$5,000 Grant Opportunity for the Emerging Artist
The Emerging Artist Program is for artists at the beginning of their careers. Applicants should have little to no experience exhibiting or selling their work in galleries or at art festivals, generally fewer than 5 years.
What you receive if accepted:
- A reduced booth fee of $350
- A provided tent
- Workshops and artist mentoring
- Support for lodging
- The opportunity to show and sell your work at the 2027 Cherry Creek Arts Festival
In addition, CherryArts also awards $5,000 unrestricted grants to selected Emerging Artists to expand and strengthen their creative practice. Funds may be used for any aspect of your artistic career. When you sign the grant contract, 90% of the funds are disbursed right away. The remaining 10% is released after you submit a report and complete an exit interview.
Artists may only apply to either the Emerging Artist Program or for the general show, but not both.
Jury process
Approximately 260 artists will exhibit at the 2027 event, 240 jury-selected spots will be available for applicants this year. Images are reviewed by the panel in a blind jury process with multiple rounds. The identities of artists are not disclosed to jurors. All work must be original and created by the applying artist, it should be well-conceived and expertly executed. The jury is comprised of two invited, jury exempt, artists and three art professionals. Round one is a silent and remote round where jurors review and score images via monitor. Round two and subsequent rounds: jurors gather at CherryArts and view each artist's set of five images projected simultaneously in a horizontal grouping. Decisions of the jury panel are final.
Rules and regulations
- All work must be original, handcrafted work
- Work done by a production studio is not acceptable
- No more than two artists may collaborate on artwork, both must sign the application and both must be present
- Artists must be present with their work for the entire three days of the CCAF
- No reproductions are allowed
- Artwork produced with commercially acquired casts, molds, prefabricated forms, studio volume production or other commercial methods will not be permitted
- Evolving Artwork: up to 15% of exhibit space may be 'new work' within the same discipline as the work juried
Booth information and fees
Upon acceptance, artists may purchase a row, corner or double booth, sold first-come, first-served. Each exhibitor is provided a space measuring 10' deep by 10' wide. Artists provide their own display, booth, racks and/or tables.
Booth Fees (10' x 10' space): $900 for a Row; $1,100 for a Corner; limited Double Booths available at $2,300; $350 for Emerging Artist Program. Credit cards are assessed a 3% convenience fee; administrative processing fees are non-refundable.